Maasai Mara

6 to 8 nights / 5 to 7 days of riding | 3 to 6 hours riding per day | Nearest airport:Nairobi

Weight limit: 14st 1lbs (90 kg) (197 pounds)

Usual maximum: 12

These mobile tented safaris take you through some of the most prolific wildlife area in Africa. Gordie Church who leads the trips, is a third generation Kenyan and grew up on safari with his father Tony who pioneered the concept of riding safaris in the 1970’s.

The safaris are characterised by the wide variety of wildlife, the relaxed pace (there won’t be lots of fast riding), “Out of Africa” style camps and interaction with the indiginous Maasai people. The dates are timed to conincide with the wildlife migrations that link Kenya’s Maasai Mara Reserve with Tanzania’s Serengeti Plains to the south.

Gordie works closely with local tribesmen and has a long standing camp team who are very much a part of the safari. His fellow riding guide Miana is a Maasai who started off as night watchman. Miana has the ability to spot game large and small so nothing is missed on this journey.

You should be a competent rider fit and secure in the saddle at all paces. Much of the riding is at a walk due to the terrain but there are opportunities for trots, canters and some faster canters across the plains.

There is a great selection of forward going and well behaved horses who are sure footed over the terrain undertaken during your journey. They are a mixture of Somali-Arab crossbreds and Thoroughbreds and range between 14hh and 17hh.

The riding tack and style is English.

On the mobile safaris you stay in spacious twin bedded or double tents.

A short drop loo is provided for each tent as well as a hot bucket shower to wash away the dust of the bush.

Camp staff will attend to the horses and create delicious meals as the African night closes in around you allowing you to sit back and relax beside the camp fire.

Accommodation Gallery

Upcoming Dates

These safari prices also apply to private safaris of five people or more. If you would like a tailor-made safari for less people or for a different length, please call for a quote and to check availability.

Prices

INCLUDES Accommodation; full board; drinks; camp and safari equipment; professional guiding; all riding and game drives; concession fees; flying doctor membership; laundry in camp; transfers as stated below

SMALL GROUP SUPPLEMENTS These may apply on some dates when there are less than five riders booked.

INCLUDES Accommodation; full board; drinks; camp and safari equipment; professional guiding; all riding and game drives; concession fees; flying doctor membership; laundry in camp; transfers as stated below.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT No single supplement if you are willing to share; otherwise £1,139.59 for the 6 night safari and £1,459.61 for the 8 night safari.

PAYABLE LOCALLY Tips.

NEAREST AIRPORT Nairobi.

TRANSFERS Nairobi airport transfers on arrival and departure days of safari and the air transfer to and from the Masai Mara are included.

In The Saddle Gallery

Client Photos

Thanks to Jenni Wilson

Thanks to Kirsty McLeod

Thanks to Susannah Shelley

Thanks to Susannah Shelley

Thanks to Susannah Shelley

Location

Located in the Maasai Mara, perhaps the most well known game reserve in the world.

Weather & Climate

The climate in Kenya is fine all year round with little seasonal variation. During the day it will get hot while at night temperatures can drop quite sharply and it can feel cold. The long rains fall in April and May and the short rains in November.

Guest Review

Fantastic, far exceeded my expectations. Fit, happy healthy horses. Nothing to improve on! Except you don't need to pack much, there was an amazing laundry service. An amazing adventure. Gordie and Felicia were perfect hosts. The camp staff were great fun and made the trip for us. Felicia loves her horses and they are treated with love, care and want for nothing. They all knew their job and were a pleasure to ride. Lovely long canters where the going was good, lots of game to see. Gordie and Minor were excellent guides, but I was most impressed by the way they respected all the game. On camp move days we had a long lunch followed by a siesta to rest the horses. A real treat snoozing under the acacia listening to the sounds of the bush. A very well run professional outfit, lots of fun, amazing sights, a few adrenaline fueled moments. A trip of a lifetime.

Ride Report

Maasai Mara Riding Specialist

Sarah says

Gordie is extremely knowledgeable about the animals you see and the land across which you ride. He has been riding over this land since he was a small boy and his father Tony Church pioneered riding safaris in Kenya.

My Top Tip

Day time temperatures are perfect for riding but do take a warm sweater for cool evenings around the campfire.